Government helps couple with new home

Chandra Wati, left, and Satya Achri in their new home with Commissioner Western Commander Joeli Cawaki. Picture: JAI PRASAD

THE long wait to receive assistance from the government was finally over yesterday for elderly couple Satya Nand, 59, and Archari Wati, 56, who lost everything during Cyclone Evan.

The couple, whose family home was destroyed by flooding at Naviyago in Lautoka in 2012, have since relocated to Teidamu in Matawalu on the outskirts of Lautoka.

Yesterday, their new home built by government was one of 20 homes opened by Commissioner Western Commander Joeli Cawaki.

"I know the wait was long, but government had promised us a home, so we had kept praying for this day," said Mr Nand, a poultry farmer.

"This is our happiest moment in a long time."

Their story was one of great struggle as their home lost at Naviyago had been acquired through a loan from the Fiji Development Bank. The loan was being paid off by their four children when the natural disaster took it away.

"It took years of hard work for my sons to pay off that house, but the flood and winds took it all away.

"But our children have their own homes and are married, this home is for me and my wife."

Cdr Cawaki said the rehabilitation project was in full swing because the funds were available and timber was in plentiful supply.

"We are operating now on an average of 20 homes per week in Lautoka alone, other areas in the division are also hitting their weekly targets."